Shopping In Brunei

Shopping in Bandar Seri Begawan is a popular pastime as the residents of the city are mostly quite wealthy and there in no income tax in Brunei, making goods comparatively cheap.

In Bandar Seri Begawan shopping venues range from small stalls to huge shopping malls selling high-end consumer goods at unexpectedly reasonable prices. The shopping fun starts right at the Bandar Seri Begawan International Airport, which sells everything from sports equipment to chocolates and books.

Many of the city’s market places and shopping malls double as entertainment centers, offering shoppers somewhere to eat and the opportunity to make use of a range of other services such as massage and beauty salons. Some of the most popular purchases include jewelry, clothes and textiles, which are skillfully made by Brunei’s craftsmen. 

Best Bets and Tips

Electronic goods tend to be much cheaper in Bandar Seri Begawan than in many of the surrounding countries and are of high quality. While the best prices can probably be found in the city markets, there are still some good offers to be found in the large, clean and modern shopping malls.

The following tips can help shoppers get the most from their experience:

• Bandar Seri Begawan’s luxury shops combine quality with low prices.
• Bartering can be used at markets to further reduce the price of items.
• Singapore dollars are accepted in addition to the Brunei dollar throughout Bandar Seri Begawan, meaning that those arriving from Singapore won’t need to change their money.

Markets

Bandar Seri Begawan’s are full of life, color, hustle and bustle. While markets crop up all over the city, one particularly popular example is the Taman Bandaraya market, which is located just past the Royal Regalia Museum. Open each evening, this is a great place to eat and shop without suffering in the heat of the day. Open each day from late afternoon until long into the night on Saturdays, the Weekend Pasar Malam sets up its colorful stalls along Jalan Sultan Road. Goods here are particularly cheap and this is a popular form of weekend entertainment.

Supermarkets and Department Stores

The Hua Ho Department Store is a particularly popular shopping venue as it stocks a wide selection of designer goods and groceries. This is a particularly good place for purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables and tourists can shop for souvenirs in the cool air conditioned environment. There is also a large supermarket located on the ground floor of The Mall, which is located in Gadong and is the shopping venue of choice for many of Bandar Seri Begawan’s housewives.

Shopping Malls

Being the capital city of Brunei, it should come as no surprise to find that Bandar Seri Begawan contains a large number of modern shopping malls. The Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex is Brunei’s largest shopping mall, selling everything from bags and bracelets to furniture and carpets. Located next to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, this is a convenient place to shop and dine after exploring the local tourist attractions. Recently built, The Mall specializes in designer goods and souvenirs.

Arts and Antiques

The riverfront area of the city is a good place to track down antiques, and a number of small art galleries can also be found here. Some of the city’s largest and most modern shopping malls contain a collection of art galleries, while the weekend market is a good place to find an interesting assortment of antiques. However, it is a good idea to examine antiques closely as they might not always be as old as they appear at first glance.

Clothing

There is a collection of small shops specializing in clothes located along Jalan Sultan. Most markets and shopping malls contain a variety of clothes shops and stalls. Markets tend to sell cheap clothes and tourist souvenir t-shirts, while malls are more likely to stock quality designer gear including items from well known Western fashion designers. The Mall in particular is known for its top of the range clothes, while the Hua Ho supermarket also offers a good selection of clothes.

Gems and Jewelry

Shopping for gems and jewelry in Bandar Seri Begawan can be an interesting experience. There is plenty of variety and shoppers with money to spend can expect to be treated like royalty. A popular place to pick up quality jewelry is in the Centrepoint mall, which is part of the luxurious Centrepoint Hotel. Jewelry shops can also be found in any area where there are a large number of Indian or Chinese restaurants clustered together.

Handicrafts

Perhaps the best place to purchase handicrafts in terms of price and variety is the Brunei Handicraft Center, which is located along Jalan Kota Bat near Jalan Residency. This is an ideal place to buy traditional Brunei fabric and clothing such as tenunan Brunei, which are clothes interwoven with gold thread that are usually worn to weddings and other special occasions. The Brunei Handicraft Center is frequented by members of Brunei’s royalty as well as diplomats and other prominent figures.